Preston Brook Preschool

Preston Brook Playgroup

Inspection report for early years provision

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Preston Brook Playgroup

Unique Reference Number 303480 Inspection date 12 July 2005 Inspector Christine Fraser Turner

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Preston Brook Playgroup

Setting Address Preston Brook Village Hall, Sandy Lane, Preston Brook, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 3AW Telephone number 01928790364

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E-mail

Registered person Preston Brook Playgroup Type of inspection Integrated Type of care Sessional care

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E-mail

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Preston Brook Playgroup was registered in 1998 and operates from a village hall located in the Preston Brook area of Runcorn. Facilities include a playroom, kitchen, children's toilets and an enclosed outside play area. The group is managed by a Committee and opens each week day, from 09.30 until 12.00 term time only. Children attend from the local area. The group is registered to care for a maximum of 24 children at any one time. There

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are currently 18 children aged from 2 to under 5 years on roll, of whom 11 receive funding for nursery education. The group supports a small number of children with special educational needs. The group employs three staff including the manager, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because staff follow appropriate health and hygiene guidelines. Children wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They understand the importance of hand washing in keeping healthy. Children do not attend playgroup if they are unwell and this is discussed with parents before children start. There is no written policy available for parents. Children are well nourished as they have healthy snacks every day. Their dietary needs are met well through staff gathering relevant information from parents. Children choose from a wide range of healthy snacks for example strawberries, banana and apples. Children have regular drinks and benefit from additional drinks during warm weather which they pour for themselves. They learn about healthy living as staff talk to children about the foods that make us grow and about which foods are healthy and less healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in a good programme of physical activity where children enjoy playing, both indoors and outdoors, using large and small equipment to develop a good range of physical skills. A good example of this is sports day where all children are able to show a range of skills as they run, jump and take part in the egg and spoon race.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure indoor and outdoor environment. They learn to keep themselves safe in playgroup, for example as they learn to pick up pieces off the floor to prevent accidents. Children learn through discussion and practical experiences how to cross the road safely by using the pelican crossing when they visit the Post Office. They move confidently around the setting and have access to a wide range of toys that encourage a variety of skills that aids their development. Children use good quality, safe equipment that offers a good challenge to children. Children are kept safe through effective risk assessments used for indoors and on outings. Children are well protected because staff have a good understanding of their role in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in playgroup. Children enjoy a good range of planned activities which promote their individual needs. They use their initiative well as they confidently make their own choices for learning. Children develop confidence and self esteem through well planned activities. They develop new skills through a wide variety of activities, for example using scissors, painting, drawing and gluing. Children make good relationships with each other and co-operate well as they tidy away activities. They enjoy listening to stories and contribute where appropriate. Children are well supported in their play through knowledgeable staff. Nursery Education The quality of teaching and children's learning is good. Children benefit from staff's good understanding of the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. Staff use their knowledge to create a well planned learning environment and a programme of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interesting activities for children. Children's learning is enhanced through plans that are effectively monitored so all areas of leaning are covered over a period of time. They receive good support from staff that use their knowledge of individual children to make sure children receive good challenge within the ongoing activities. Children access good quality, well chosen resources which supports their learning across all six areas. They enjoy taking part in self-chosen activities and children are confident in what they do. Children make good relationships with each other, for example as they greet their friends on arrival and sit with them at snack time. They learn about numbers as part of the daily routine and learn mathematical language through interesting activities, for example through story where children learn about positional language. Children use marks readily and many children are able to write their name

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

from memory. However, children do not often use mark making in role play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive good quality care through supportive settling in procedures and staff's good daily interaction with parents. Children become increasingly aware of the wider world through good quality resources and planned activities. They develop self esteem and confidence, for example they take part in sports day and receive a certificate for their achievements. Children with special needs receive good support from staff. Children behave well and are learning to share as they play harmoniously together. They are able to choose their own activities during free play and whether to play inside or outside. Children learn to take turns as they join in with games, for example picture, lotto and skittles. The partnership with parents and carers is good. Staff gather information from parents effectively before children begin playgroup. They find out what children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 already know and can do. Children benefit from meetings between staff and parents each term to discuss their child's progress and how to continue support at home. Parents of children leaving to go to school receive a written report which is discussed with parents. Parents are well informed of forthcoming events, for example sports day, which ensures children turn up well equipped to join in the event. Parents are actively encouraged to become involved in their child's learning in meaningful ways. Parents support social events well and children see parents and staff having friendly exchanges. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected through effective recruitment and vetting procedures. They are cared for by staff that have a good understanding of child development. The good adult-child ratios positively support children's care, learning and play. Children are able to make their own choices for learning, including outdoor play, due to the well organised space in the setting. Children benefit from clear policies, most of which are in place and good procedures that work in practice. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. The leadership and management of the playgroup is good. Children make good progress towards the early learning goals through staffs' effective understanding of the Foundation Stage. Staff have a clear vision on how children learn through play. Children benefit from staff discussing their progress with parents. However, staff do

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Organisation

not use the information gained from assessments and observations to inform planning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, staff agreed to implement three recommendations: demonstrate the safety of gas and electric appliances and fittings; improve the arrangements for hand washing and improve confidentiality in the accident record. Children benefit from staff's prompt response to ensure that children are cared for in a safe environment by providing certificates to state that the gas and electric are safe and meet requirements. Children's hygiene has been improved as they now follow appropriate hand washing routines. Confidentiality of the accident record has been addressed through each child having their own record. At the last education inspection, staff were asked to consider the development of an outdoor play area and widening the extent to which information and communication technology is used to support children's learning throughout the curriculum. These have been achieved. Children enjoy using the secure outdoor play area daily.

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Improvements since the last inspection

They benefit from using technology in role play, for example telephones and a

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 computer key board. Children also use the pelican crossing when they visit the Post Office nearby.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and make parents aware of it.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to improve planning to take account of observations and assessments to plan next steps for learning for individual children • include more opportunities for children to write for a purpose in the role play areas.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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